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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"